jleigh, Love these last choices. Use both!!

Hi everyone. I have attached my poor attempt at editing my kitchen picture with the white subway tiles that were recommended in this discussion! Just to have an idea what it would look like - I am just wondering what you think? What are your opinions on the slight color difference between the subway tile (white) and our kitchen cabinets (antique white)?

Patty,

I think the white tile would go well with your kitchen. It provides a bit of a contrast which is nice. Are you sure you wouldn't want to go with glass? Glass tile has many advantages including a more modern look that I think would go better in a kitchen like yours!

Please let me know if you have any other questions!

Subway tile comes in off-white also.

Patty, I like your choices better than the subway tile. I think you need the smaller scale you had originally picked. FWIW...

The same color of the cabinets with a little glow--glass mosaic will make the kitchen stand tall.

Hi Patty,
I don't think any of the choices yet are really suitable. The white subway is too white. I personally would carry on with the granite you already have, as I prefer a sleeker look and not so busy with different materials. But that's just me....
I shall have a little search here on houzz.:-)

Just imagine your cupboards with the countertops and backsplash the same, Alaska White, as in the following foto:
http://houzz.com/photos/60471

Here it is with the white subway tile. However your cupboards are not white. What colour are your cupboards? They appear pinkish on my iPad....I really love the white tiles with the white cabinets and the Alaska White granite really comes out, doesn't it?
http://houzz.com/photos/4017099

For anyone wondering, our cupboard color is "Antique White" and I am trying to source the same color 3"x6" subway tile to see how it looks in our kitchen! Thanks everyone :)

Sorry, I missed your comment on the colour of the cabinets, Antique White! Hmmmm...

Here's another with the same granite ...
http://houzz.com/photos/82687

How about grey so it blends almost seamlessly with the counter?

I love your counter top but why not have fun and use a hand painted tile mural?

I attached my inspirational back splash design photo....sorry for the quality, I pulled it from a friend's magazine, I am hoping to do for my kitchen that also has Alaskan White granite counter tops and antique white traditional cupboards. It shows antique white subway tile with an interesting diagonal design inlay over the stove, also in antique white. I think the border tile shown in the attachment that runs parallel to the counter, looks great with the plain granite illustrated, but may be too busy for Alaskan White.

White subway tiles for sure. As others mentioned, the granite has enough pattern going on. Your kitchen is beautiful!

Hi Patty, still looking for antique white tiles....in the meantime, this would also be something to match the granite:
http://houzz.com/photos/165638

Still looking ... this may be too glossy, also in grey :
http://houzz.com/photos/191887

This is beautiful:
http://houzz.com/photos/149615

Off white:
http://houzz.com/photos/3311881

Another:
http://houzz.com/photos/2466613

Just a tad more off-white:
http://houzz.com/photos/4148941

This is really interesting:
http://houzz.com/photos/2921294

Since your island has a lot of movement, I wouldn't personally suggest anything busy as the back splash. Instead of the standard subway tile, you can do a herringbone design. Maybe even have a dark brown color mixed in to pull in the island.

This is only my professional opinion, the designer in me that wants to create spaces that look unique that have one of a kind appeal. Subway tile look has been around for quite some time now. Although it is a safe choice and can seem classical, I find that it has been used so much it is now kind of plain and boring to me. For me subway tile, I've been there, done that, it is time to move on and get more creative. I really sense that the subway look is starting to get dated and coming to the end of it's fade. There are so many more wonderful choices with all the new tile designs new today's market place. I would go in the direction of making a statement and go with something that won't be going out of style soon.

If your heart is still set on subway, that is okay, it is your kitchen. Consider punching it up a bit with decorative liner or a design behind the stove area?

The white subway tile with the antique white cabinets isn't working for me. You obviously have great taste as the kitchen is lovely. The gray you have your wall painted now looks better than white, so go with a gray or match your antique white (or just a tad darker) subway tile instead if you're set on subway tile. Something in the brown tones works too. The metallics would look great but I wonder if it's a 20 minute trend. I vote for a tile with a little sheen and think a high gloss would work well, not unglazed tile. Keep it simple - no horizontal stripes by adding a liner. I love the subtlety of A Direct Dist. photo choices above and the idea of hanging something interesting behind the stove rather than imbedding a tile mosaic. You can change it as your tastes change. Trust your instincts, they're good ones.

This subway backsplash has a beveled edge (possibly they have a plain one) that is Neri by Adex. It is called Bone, but we have used it several times and it is just a slightly off white color (not at all what you expect from something called bone). It would go very well with your antique white cabinetry with a standard white grout.

[houzz=]

Exactly my sentiments, Maguire. (see my comments)
Although I personally wouldn't use a brown backsplash. The grey does look really pretty, especially as there is grey in the granite.

I really like this backsplash idea:
http://houzz.com/photos/1881149

I can't see what tiles are behind the stove....just to show how off-white cabs and Alaska White granite appears without a dominant backsplash. Very refreshing I would say! :-)

http://houzz.com/photos/2030506

These are also Antique White on maple cabs with two complete different designs on backsplash and granite, although the colours are very similar...everything is possible! ;-)
http://houzz.com/photos/575552

RghVkfkr,gig rye,fjhxyuhgx;..#%*€£

Close up:

oops forgot the link...
http://houzz.com/photos/575553

This grey colour would also look great, without the fussy detail...
http://houzz.com/photos/4979606

Ok, now I stop... would love to see what you finally decide, Patty! :-)

For a more streamlined aesthetic, a stainless steel backsplash works well with white cabinets, particularly when considering the movement and color of the countertop material. It's a cost-effective alternative to tile that creates a sense of visual and material continuity in kitchens with stainless steel appliances and fixtures, while the flat finish provides a nice contrast to the polished granite.
We've used this successfully in a number of projects, and typically specify an orbital sanded finish to minimize the potential for fingerprints and marks. See the attached photo for a construction detail of a recent installation, and feel free to get in touch with any questions. Good luck!

Oh just one more, to capture the sort of style from my 3rd last link with the two different patterns....Maguire, just a touch of brown ;-)
http://houzz.com/photos/1555594

meljane, you're right, sorry, I meant to compliment you on your pictures, just ended up hitting the "like" and getting side tracked by ADD (A Direct Distributor or attention deficit, either works here). Condo Reno and Breezy are my favorites, I wish you could number your kitchens, so many pretty ideas you've posted. Let's see what patty thinks.

Thanks Maguire! No problem. Yes, I do like Condo Reno and Breezy too....and in the meantime, I'm "warming" to your brown idea, like chocolate and vanilla...
http://houzz.com/photos/274932
only there are no tiles.. :-(
There are just so many different ideas here and it's fun to go searching.
I also have no idea how to accumulate links on this iPad, hence the single posts.

I agree that a white subway tile would be timeless and elegant. Of course, getting the RIGHT WHITE tile is important too. If your cabinets are a warm white, go with a warmer white tile, not a cool blue. Good luck! Your kitchen is already gorgeous! :)

http://c306001.r1.cf1.rackcdn.com/catalog/product/cache/1/small_image/245x245/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/o/c/octavewhitehthassos.jpg

LOVE the smokey grey subway tile and layout suggested by Subway Tile Outlet, looks elegant and really sets off the beautiful granite. I'm normally a white subway tile girl (have it in my kitchen and master bath), but in your kitchen I think the grey really complements your granite, cabinets, and appliances.

Oh, there were tiles behind the stove, subway sorted beiges/caramel (?) with an interesting insert and on the non-cooking sides it looks like painted bricks....
http://houzz.com/photos/274832

One more close-up of the last kitchen, for inspiration:
http://houzz.com/photos/274906

I think a greyish tumbled marble tile would be stunning. http://i01.i.aliimg.com/photo/v1/131905493/TUMBLED_GREY_MARBLE_MOSAIC_STONE.jpg There is so much "character" in this stone that you could keep it simple and it would be a stunning background for a few well placed accessories. Beautiful kitchen, by the way!

Thanks everyone! When the backsplash is completed I'll make sure to post a picture! It might be in a few weeks as we will be hiring a tile pro to do the job. We're basic DIYers and this job isn't something we can do ourselves 8-)

I look forward to seeing your competed project.

I love glass subway tile http://www.kitchenclarity.com/2011/01/white-subway-tile-are-we-over-it-yet/white-subway-backsplash/

If you are still looking for a subway tile to go with your antique white cabinets, take a look at the color "Bone" subway tile from the company Subway Ceramics. Or if that is too ivory then take a look at their off-white "Avalon White". They specialize in tiles for historical renovations. We used their "Bone" subway tile with our BM "Sail Cloth" cabinets and it turned out to be an exact match, and the color Sail Cloth is very close to your antique white. But I also think that taking one of the gray shades from your granite would be lovely too. Just don't do anything busy.